The Powers of Prophecy

In The Powers of Prophecy Robert E. Lerner traces the fortunes of an eschatological prophecy that was first written around 1240 and thereafter circulated throughout Western Europe for more than four centuries. Originally composed as a response to the Mongol onslaught, the Cedar of Lebanon vision was resurrected again and again to apply to other crises including the fall of the Holy Land, the Black Death, and the Protestant Reformation. Now back in print again, Lerner's highly original book is an excellent resource for anyone seeking to understand the apocalyptic tradition and its enduring popularity in European history. Book jacket.

Robert E. Lerner is Peter B. Ritzma Professor in the Humanities at Northwestern University. He is the author of books including The Age of Adversity, The Heresy of the Free Spirit, and the Feast of Saint Abraham and coauthor of Western Civilizations.